V P Calls For Uf-Type Experiment In Up

He, however, admitted that such a joining of hands at the state level would not be an easy task since the contradictions between the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party are high. He felt each of the non-BJP parties in fray should be flexible and demonstrate political sagacity in the post-election situation.

But then, he said the government might actually be formed by some MLAs, who, in his perception, would make the vital difference between the contending forces. Both sides would try to win over the required number of MLAs from other ranks, and everything would depend on who is able to get them first and cobble a majority.

The United Front, he said, had gained considerably in the state, thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Ajit Singh. Together, he said they had broken the backbone of the BJP in the western region, and this amounted to a major setback for the party. The BJP has been considered strong in the region, and has been banking on winning a majority of seats from here.

A significant feature during Singh's interaction with the press yesterday was the lack of any mention of the Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. This, coupled with fulsome praise for Ajit Singh and the desire to form a government of non-BJP forces led many to wonder if he would favour Ajit Singh in the race for the chief ministership.

Apart from this setback to the BJP, the minority votes have consolidated in the Front favour. Moreover, the image has gone across that Gowda's is a government of farmers. The balance has decisively tilted in favour of the Front. Ajit Singh's entry has been a welcome one, and he can also help wean away some of the backwards